UKRI International Development Collaboration Fund – Capacity Building for M&E and Research Management

The UKRI International Development Collaboration Fund – Capacity Building for M&E and Research Management is a highly competitive grant opportunity that aims to strengthen monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) systems within research institutions in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The fund is part of UKRI's broader International Development portfolio, which seeks to leverage UK expertise to address global challenges. Specifically, this call recognizes that many LMIC institutions lack the robust systems needed to manage research projects, collect reliable data, and use evidence for policy. By focusing on capacity building, the fund expects to create lasting improvements in research governance and impact. Eligible consortia must include at least one UK research organization and one LMIC partner, with the LMIC partner being the primary beneficiary of capacity building. Grants range from £500,000 to £2 million, with a project duration of up to 24 months. The deadline is July 1, 2026, which is earlier than typical UKRI calls, indicating a high priority. GSLI's training courses directly address the skills gaps that the fund targets, offering a concrete way to demonstrate capacity building in the proposal. The call emphasizes a 'theory of change' approach, requiring applicants to articulate how improved MEL capacity will lead to better research quality and development outcomes. It also mandates integration of gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) throughout the project, including gender-disaggregated data collection and strategies to include marginalized groups. Furthermore, the fund prioritizes projects that will lead to systemic changes, such as embedding MEL curricula in LMIC universities or establishing national M&E frameworks. Financial management is a key area; all partners must demonstrate fiduciary competence, which can be bolstered by GSLI's Financial Management for NGOs course. Additionally, the fund encourages South-South cooperation, so consortia that include partners from multiple LMICs or that involve triangular cooperation with other donor-funded initiatives will be viewed favorably. The UKRI expects robust risk management plans, including anti-corruption measures and safeguards for data security. To maximize chances of success, applicants should start building consortia immediately, conduct a rapid MEL capacity needs assessment, and enroll key personnel in relevant GSLI short courses. The proposal should clearly differentiate the project from existing UKRI-funded activities and demonstrate a clear additionality. It is also advisable to secure a letter of support from a relevant LMIC government ministry, showing that the project aligns with national development priorities. Since the fund is part of ODA, all activities must directly benefit LMIC populations. GSLI's WASH and Public Health courses are relevant if the project involves health or water sector data. Ultimately, this fund represents a unique opportunity to build lasting research capacity, and GSLI's training provides the necessary tools to meet the donor's expectations. In addition to the direct capacity building components, the fund also requires dissemination and exploitation of results. This includes sharing best practices in MEL through peer-reviewed publications, conferences, and policy briefs. Applicants must budget for these dissemination activities, which can be supported by GSLI's Writing Winning Proposals course to help LMIC partners develop their own funding proposals for future work. The fund also places a strong emphasis on value for money, so the budget must be justified in terms of cost-efficiency and sustainability. GSLI's Grant Management course can assist in designing a transparent budget tracking and audit trail. By addressing these requirements thoroughly, applicants can position their proposal as a low-risk, high-impact investment. Finally, the fund encourages innovation in MEL, such as use of digital tools, artificial intelligence for data analysis, or participatory evaluation methods. Projects that incorporate novel approaches will receive higher scores. However, the core focus must remain on capacity building, not on piloting new technologies. GSLI's Public Health & Epidemiology course could be used to train LMIC partners on modern epidemiological data collection methods, while the Project Management for Development course ensures efficient project execution. By leveraging GSLI's expertise, applicants can strengthen their proposal's capacity building component and increase their probability of success.

Strategic Overview

The UKRI International Development Collaboration Fund – Capacity Building for M&E and Research Management is a highly competitive grant opportunity that aims to strengthen monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) systems within research institutions in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The fund is part of UKRI's broader International Development portfolio, which seeks to leverage UK expertise to address global challenges. Specifically, this call recognizes that many LMIC institutions lack the robust systems needed to manage research projects, collect reliable data, and use evidence for policy. By focusing on capacity building, the fund expects to create lasting improvements in research governance and impact. Eligible consortia must include at least one UK research organization and one LMIC partner, with the LMIC partner being the primary beneficiary of capacity building. Grants range from £500,000 to £2 million, with a project duration of up to 24 months. The deadline is July 1, 2026, which is earlier than typical UKRI calls, indicating a high priority. GSLI's training courses directly address the skills gaps that the fund targets, offering a concrete way to demonstrate capacity building in the proposal. The call emphasizes a 'theory of change' approach, requiring applicants to articulate how improved MEL capacity will lead to better research quality and development outcomes. It also mandates integration of gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) throughout the project, including gender-disaggregated data collection and strategies to include marginalized groups. Furthermore, the fund prioritizes projects that will lead to systemic changes, such as embedding MEL curricula in LMIC universities or establishing national M&E frameworks. Financial management is a key area; all partners must demonstrate fiduciary competence, which can be bolstered by GSLI's Financial Management for NGOs course. Additionally, the fund encourages South-South cooperation, so consortia that include partners from multiple LMICs or that involve triangular cooperation with other donor-funded initiatives will be viewed favorably. The UKRI expects robust risk management plans, including anti-corruption measures and safeguards for data security. To maximize chances of success, applicants should start building consortia immediately, conduct a rapid MEL capacity needs assessment, and enroll key personnel in relevant GSLI short courses. The proposal should clearly differentiate the project from existing UKRI-funded activities and demonstrate a clear additionality. It is also advisable to secure a letter of support from a relevant LMIC government ministry, showing that the project aligns with national development priorities. Since the fund is part of ODA, all activities must directly benefit LMIC populations. GSLI's WASH and Public Health courses are relevant if the project involves health or water sector data. Ultimately, this fund represents a unique opportunity to build lasting research capacity, and GSLI's training provides the necessary tools to meet the donor's expectations. In addition to the direct capacity building components, the fund also requires dissemination and exploitation of results. This includes sharing best practices in MEL through peer-reviewed publications, conferences, and policy briefs. Applicants must budget for these dissemination activities, which can be supported by GSLI's Writing Winning Proposals course to help LMIC partners develop their own funding proposals for future work. The fund also places a strong emphasis on value for money, so the budget must be justified in terms of cost-efficiency and sustainability. GSLI's Grant Management course can assist in designing a transparent budget tracking and audit trail. By addressing these requirements thoroughly, applicants can position their proposal as a low-risk, high-impact investment. Finally, the fund encourages innovation in MEL, such as use of digital tools, artificial intelligence for data analysis, or participatory evaluation methods. Projects that incorporate novel approaches will receive higher scores. However, the core focus must remain on capacity building, not on piloting new technologies. GSLI's Public Health & Epidemiology course could be used to train LMIC partners on modern epidemiological data collection methods, while the Project Management for Development course ensures efficient project execution. By leveraging GSLI's expertise, applicants can strengthen their proposal's capacity building component and increase their probability of success.

Who is it For?

The call is open to UK-based research organizations (higher education institutions, independent research organizations, public sector research establishments) that can demonstrate a track record in international development research. Applicants must partner with at least one LMIC-based organization (academic, NGO, or government agency) that will serve as the primary capacity beneficiary. Eligible LMIC partners must be legally registered in ODA-eligible countries. The fund particularly encourages applications from consortia involving organizations based in Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and small island developing states. Additionally, the lead UK organization must have a financial audit trail and a minimum of three years of experience managing research projects over £500,000. The call actively seeks to include early-career researchers and women-led institutions. GSLI's cross-selling courses in Monitoring & Evaluation, Financial Management for NGOs, and Writing Winning Proposals are ideal for preparing LMIC partners to meet the strict reporting requirements.

Priorities

UKRI's strategic priorities for this fund are: (1) Strengthening MEL capacity in LMIC institutions to improve research quality and policy impact. (2) Enabling LMIC partners to independently manage grants and ethical research governance. (3) Embedding systems for data verification, gender-disaggregated data collection, and use of digital tools for M&E. (4) Fostering South-South and triangular cooperation. Key performance indicators include a 30% increase in LMIC partner staff trained in M&E within 24 months, at least two joint publications submitted to peer-reviewed journals, and a sustainability plan ensuring continued M&E capacity beyond the project period. Donors also require alignment with UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 17, 16, 5) and the UK Aid Strategy. Each proposal must show how MEL capacity improvements will lead to better development outcomes, such as improved water quality monitoring (linking to WASH courses) or epidemiological data collection (linking to Public Health & Epidemiology courses).

Eligibility

Eligibility requirements are stringent. Lead applicant must be a UKRI-eligible research organization (list available on UKRI website) with a valid FIRM (Financial, Institutional, and Risk Management) score. The LMIC partner must provide audited financial statements for the last two fiscal years, and the consortium must include a minimum of two LMIC partners if the lead UK organization has not previously worked in the target country. Total project budget must not exceed £2 million, with at least 50% of the funds allocated to LMIC partners. Co-funding is not mandatory but will be considered favorably. Activities must not duplicate existing UKRI-funded projects. Due diligence includes submission of a detailed risk assessment, ethical approval letters (if applicable), and a partnership agreement. GSLI's Financial Management for NGOs course can help applicants design proper budget tracking and audit frameworks, while the Grants Management course supports compliance with UKRI terms and conditions.

Path to Success

Step 1: Pre-Proposal Strategic Alignment (Months 1-2). Initiate by identifying LMIC partners with existing M&E gaps. Use GSLI's Monitoring & Evaluation short course to train consortium teams on baseline indicator selection and logframe design. Simultaneously, enroll in the Writing Winning Proposals course to craft a compelling narrative linking MEL capacity to SDG targets. Step 2: Co-Design and Build Capacity Case (Months 3-4). Conduct a MEL capacity needs assessment using a standardized tool (e.g., MEASURE Evaluation). Engage in GSLI's Public Health & Epidemiology course to integrate health outcome indicators if relevant. Develop a Theory of Change that explicitly states how trained staff will improve data use. Step 3: Full Proposal Development and Financial Planning (Months 5-6). Draft budget with clear justification for GSLI training costs (up to 10% of total budget allowed). Apply GSLI's Financial Management for NGOs principles to ensure cost recovery and audit compliance. Secure letters of support from LMIC government agencies. Step 4: Proposal Submission and Post-Award Readiness (Month 7). Submit via UKRI's Funding Service. Prepare an implementation schedule with quarterly milestones. Register key staff for GSLI's Project Management for Development course to strengthen delivery. Also consider cross-selling Procurement & Supply Chain to handle any procurement involved in MEL system installation.

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Deadline: 2026-07-01

Persona: General

Urgency: Normal